The cannabis market went on a bull run in August 2018, following Constellation Brands’ (NYSE:STZ) $5B investment in Canopy Growth Corporation(TSX:WEED).

U.S. House holds hearing on cannabis banking legislation

On their surfaces, the cable industry and the cannabis industry couldn’t be more different. However, as we will discuss today, they have both had similar developments and both face potentially tough regulatory challenges.

A team of analysts gave Constellation Brands stock (ticker: STZ) a lift after meetings with a Canadian cannabis company left them feeling bullish on the industry’s prospects.

Constellation’s core business remains in the manufacture and sale of beer, wine, and spirits, but the company owns a stake in Canada’s largest cannabis producer, Canopy Growth (CGC; WEED.Canada)— giving it a leading position in the nascent market. Shares rose 1.6% on Wednesday morning, versus an 0.5% gain for the S&P 500.

Cannabis shares were higher Wednesday ahead of a congressional hearing on the obstacles facing cannabis companies when it comes to opening and maintaining bank accounts.

A subcommittee of the Democratic-controlled House Financial Services Committee will meet to hear testimony on the topic at 2 p.m. Eastern time. For now, cannabis companies are unable to hold accounts at federally backed banks, because weed is still subject to a federal ban, another issue that is hampering the development of the sector in those states that have legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use.

Given the frigid weather and general melancholy of a Saskatchewan winter, many people are preparing to flee for greener pastures this coming long weekend.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the national crown corporation responsible for security and screening at airports, made some changes to their regulations back in October due to the legalization of cannabis.

Here are a few changes to keep in mind if you are flying somewhere for the break.

The Horizons Medical Marijuana Life Sciences exchange-traded fund (ETF) holds a basket of more than four-dozen marijuana stocks and has climbed by more than 50% year to date. This is after the most stellar year for pot stocks on record.

In anticipation of the October 17th legalization of recreational marijuana sales across Canada, pot stocks shot up to historic highs. Canopy, the clear leader in this space, is up 100% over the same period and is now valued at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 62.5, assuming quarterly revenues cross $60 million after legalization.

In the past few decades, medical institutions had begun to use cannabis a form of treatment, as a result of its multifarious therapeutic effects. Researchers have conducted years of studies in order to understand the plant and its effects further. Positive results have thus allowed the integration of cannabis into medical facilities, but it also helped propel the global legalization efforts. The active components in cannabis, THC and CBD, are linked to possessing beneficial effects on the body, which make them popular options for treatment. Currently, cannabis is predominately being used to treat mild to severe medical conditions such as chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, and seizures.

Cannabis stocks are having a blistering start to 2019. The sector appeared to have peaked in the fall of 2018. As many had warned, marijuana stocks turned sharply lower following Canada’s legalization going into effect in a classic “sell the news” event. However, since then, the tide has turned. This year, pot stocks are back with the sector ETF posting a 50% move off the lows.

Not surprisingly, this enthusiasm has carried both recreational and medicinal cannabis stocks higher. For today, let’s focus on the medicinal space. The recreational plays have been getting more attention lately with all the blockbuster partnerships. However, there are some interesting business stories developing in the medical cannabis stock space as well.

Bhang Corporation will host two “educational sessions” on Friday (February 15) and Saturday (February 16). to offer consumers a closer look at the Bhang product line and to familiarize themselves with the best approach to edible product consumption.

“We are excited to bring future Canadian consumers the opportunity to learn more about the benefits and safe usage of our edible products,” Scott Van Rixel, CEO of Bhang, said on Wednesday (February 13).